Adventure Speakers

Sir Ranulph Fiennes

Ran was the first man to reach both poles by surface travel, and the first to cross Antarctica unsupported. He’s also the oldest Briton to climb Everest, has run seven marathons on seven continents in seven days, as well an ultramarathon in the Sahara. He undertook the first expedition to attempt to cross the Antarctic continent on foot during the southern winter, at temperatures of minus 90C; but sadly frostbite forced his withdrawal. Despite the setback, Ran believes that “If you are lucky enough to be able to walk without a crutch, you might as well go for it.”

Chris Hadfield

Chris learned Russian and emergency medicine on top of his test pilot and aeronautical training before spending six months in orbit. He is now best-known for performing Bowie’s Space Oddity in space – as well as publishing An Astronaut’s Guide To Life On Earth and appraising the candidates in BBC2’s Astronauts - Do You Have What It Takes? Chris shares insights on leadership, collaboration, human ingenuity and how to avoid being paralysed by fear in the four seconds between system failure and death. He also reveals what spacewalking tells us about life on Earth.

Dr Chadden Hunter

Producer and director Chadden has worked on some of the best-known natural history series of recent times, including Wild Arabia, Planet Earth, Frozen Planet, and Seven Worlds, One Planet. He reveals the huge challenges of making these spectacular series that combine detailed planning, technical excellence, personal risk and a lot of patience. With stunning images and never-before-seen footage he looks at lessons in creative thinking, problem-solving and working in a team as well as inspiring yet cautionary examples of the fragility of the natural world.

Professor Suzie Imber

Associate Professor of planetary science, Suzie has climbed some of the world’s highest and most challenging mountains, programmed supercomputers, helped develop space tourist training programmes, and won the BBC’s search for a future astronaut. Covering everything from satellites to teamwork, the future of science to dealing with risk, she looks at the lessons from all aspects of her work.

Major Tim Peake

From 400km above the Earth, Britain’s first ESA astronaut became a household name. A former military test pilot, Tim shared his experiences and incredible photos on social media, and spoke to over 1.5million schoolchildren across Europe about the power of science.

Lewis Pugh

Lewis is the first to complete long distance swims in each of the world’s oceans. He has also swum in Arctic and Antarctic waters, and the length of the Channel. His aim is to raise global awareness of a fragile maritime environment – one with retreating glaciers and increasing levels of plastic pollution – and he has negotiated official protected status for over two million square kilometres of ocean (equivalent to the size of Western Europe). As well as highlighting the urgent plight of the world’s seas, Lewis also reflects on his mindset and the vision, prepara...

Jaco van Gass

Jaco was a member of the Parachute Regiment. When was completing his second six-month tour of Afghanistan the helicopter he was in came under enemy fire and he was hit by a rocket propelled grenade, sustaining devastating injuries and losing his left arm. He didn’t let his injuries stop him and been a member of the GB Para-Cycling team. Jaco was also a member of the record-breaking team of wounded soldiers to trek unsupported to the North Pole and was joined by Prince Harry.

Levison Wood

After serving as a Captain in the Parachute Regiment, Lev took his experience of challenging and dangerous environments to become a photojournalist and leader of expeditions. His love of Africa led him to undertake a one-man trek along the length of the Nile where he learned how communities survive in the harshest of climates. He then took on the Himalayas, Central and South America, and the route from Russian to Iran. He considers the lessons both personal and witnessed, in motivation, survival, and the nature of risk.

Benedict Allen

Benedict has lived in the Siberian wilds, survived the Skeleton Coast and crossed the Gobi. He’s contracted malaria whilst being pinned down by civil war in Papua New Guinea, he’s been shot at, hunted and left to stitch up his own chest: “It’s a bit more extreme than the corporate jungle, though there are parallels.”

Mark Beaumont

In an extraordinary show of endurance, Mark cycled around the world in 194 days, taking 81 days off the record. Almost a decade later he took on the challenge again, this time aiming to travel around the world in 80 days. He smashed the existing record for cycling over 18,000 by completing the trip in 78 days. He’s also cycled the length of the Americas and of Africa. His approach is straightforward: “Test your limits - but don’t allow the big picture to frighten you. Devise a series of manageable targets, develop consistent work output, and teach yourself to calculate ...

Tim Bradshaw

Tim is a former British Army Intelligence Officer and graduate of the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. His work as a Covert Human Intelligence Officer and Target Acquisition Patrol Soldier saw him recruit and run foreign agents worldwide and influence the outcome of extremely sensitive and dangerous situations. Since leaving the Army, Tim founded, and is a director of Sandstone Communications, an international leadership and team building consultancy.

JJ Chalmers

Former Royal Marine JJ almost died in an explosion whilst out on patrol in Afghanistan. After months of gruelling rehab he competed in the Invictus Games and went on to become a presenter for Channel 4 and the BBC. He recounts a compelling story of hope, determination, courage and teamwork.

Alan Chambers

The former Royal Marine (aka The Arctic Tractor) led the first unsupported UK expedition from Canada to the geographic North Pole. After taking disaffected British children to African classrooms with Channel 4, Alan showed us the method to making good with a book: Lead Yourself To Success. In presentations he emphasises the need to question norms, build total trust and make decisions purely based on the facts. Alan also advocates leading from behind.

Dr Ed Coats

Ed was chosen to join Cracknell and Fogle in a race to the South Pole. They skied for 16 hours each day and came in second – without any polar experience. In his workshop the hospital doctor uses storytelling and mindfulness techniques to give participants the tools to embrace challenge and live for the moment. Ed shows how exploring our feelings, opening up to change, managing criticism and agreeing short-term goals helps us withstand extreme pressure.

James Cracknell

After his partnership with Matt Pinsent, the double Olympic champion teamed up with Ben Fogle for a series of adventures. They rowed across the Atlantic and raced to the South Pole. In their next challenge (to run, swim and cycle across the States), James was very nearly killed by a truck. He endured a gruelling physical and neurological recovery – then took part in the coldest race on earth. James explains why we should all continue to test our limits.

Ann Daniels

With no experience of extreme sport, Ann found herself applying to join a polar expedition. She has since ski-ed to both Poles, completed more than 10 expeditions and spent over 400 days on the ice. She has also led scientific expeditions to study the changes in the Polar regions. Ann describes how she's endured the harshest of climates and most unpredictable of circumstances with lessons and insights into leadership, teamwork, planning and belief.

Karen Darke

Karen has kayaked through Alaska’s Inner Passage and cycled from Tibet to Nepal, in spite of paralysis from the chest down. After claiming silver in London she squeezed in (and filmed) an Iron Man contest as part of her build up to Rio, and then took gold in the Paralympics (despite losing a year’s training after being hit by a car). Karen shows how we can best understand ourselves and others by attempting challenges. The emotions they untap aren’t signs of weakness, they help us heal: “Listening to yourself and dealing with fear makes you stronger.”

Bruce Dickinson

Alongside his larger-than-life persona as lead singer for Iron Maiden, Bruce holds a myriad of experience in business, entrepreneurialism, mentoring and creative thinking. He is in great demand to share the secrets of his proficiency, insight, and knowledge in his ever-expanding professional fields.

Dr Will Duffin

Will has delivered medical care in some of the world’s most remote and dangerous environments, from the Himalayas to Siberia to the Pacific Islands, and in high-pressure, high-stakes situations including medical evacuations and natural disasters. With evocative, compelling stories, he explores decision-making, resilience, teamwork and personal leadership based on real-life experience.

Giles Duley

Dissatisfied with fashion and celebrity photography, Giles Duley decided to focus on humanitarian issues, travelling to Sudan, Angola and Afghanistan to highlight the issues behind the conflicts. In 2011, while on patrol with the US Army, he stepped on an IED, losing both legs and an arm. His first impulse was to check his eyes and his right arm; with them he could still be a photographer and after months of rehab, he returned to work. Giles has since returned to Afghanistan and continues to document those affected by conflict around the world and their inspiring stories.

Ben Fogle

Since he first appeared on our screens in Castaway, Ben has rowed an ocean with James Cracknell, lived in Scott’s hut and joined Prince William in Botswana. He has also driven in Peru with a tense Hugh Dennis. The self-styled Accidental Adventurer has one big ambition remaining – to swim the Atlantic.